Waited Until the Last Minute? Canâ€™t be There? There’s Hope

As Inauguration Day draws near, many are finalizing their plans to become part of the big day. Here are a few updates for those who wonâ€™t be able to attend or who have just begun to make arrangements:

(Source: Destination DC)

As Inauguration Day draws near, many are finalizing their plans to become part of the big day. Here are a few updates for those who won’t be able to attend or who have just begun to make arrangements:

Obama to Add ‘Neighborhood Ball’ to Festivities

President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural committee announced yesterday that there will be a new kind of inaugural ball, one that incorporates interactive and Web-based elements.

According to reports, tickets for the “Neigborhood Ballâ€ will be free or affordable, and a portion of the tickets will be set aside for residents of the Obamas’ new home – Washington, D.C.
“This is an inauguration for all Americans,â€ Obama said in a news release. “I wanted to make sure that we had an event that would be open to our new neighborhood here in Washington, D.C., and also neighborhoods across the country.”

People across the country will be able to participate in the event via Webcasting and text messaging, according to the inaugural committee.

BlackHistoryTours.com Offers Travel Deals

So you waited until the last minute to plan your trip to Washington? There are still options out there that don’t include standing on the side of the road with your thumb out.
BlackHistoryTours is offering special deals on affordable hotel packages and is also offering assistance for those attending the inauguration.

The company, whose mission is to “expose today’s youth to the diversity of American history, mainly African American history,â€ has commissioned a fleet of new buses that will serve most major cities to travel to Washington for the inauguration. It is also offering deals for hotel stays in areas surrounding Washington including Richmond, Virginia.

The company is also promoting the We the People Celebration with the Alvin James Group. The event will be held at FedEx Field and will include entertainment by recording artists, comedians, and DJs. For more information, visit BlackHistoryTours.com.

League of Black Women Present ‘The People’s Ball’

For those who will be unable to attend inaugural festivities in Washington on Jan. 20, the League of Black Women will be hosting a ball this Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago. The ball will celebrate Barack Obama’s historic election, and the event will also honor Valerie Jarrett for her work in Chicago’s business and philanthropic communities.

Tickets for The People’s Ball range from general seating at $75, to $1,000 for access to the VIP area, logo placement, and a listing on The People’s Ball Website. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository.